Joe Cole was last night defended by Roy Hodgson and Arsene Wenger after being sent off on his Liverpool league debut.

Anfield boss Hodgson said his club may appeal against Cole’s harsh dismissal after he was shown a straight red card for lunging at Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny on the stroke of half-time in front of the watching England coach Fabio Capello.

The England midfielder faces a three-match ban and Hodgson said: “Joe is devastated. It was a fantastic atmosphere, he was desperate to do well, he wasn’t playing at the top of his game, but trying to get to that level, and he gets sent off.

“I have seen the TV replays and they suggest he is a little bit unlucky.

“He didn’t dive at the player – he dived in front of the ball. I think Joe’s legs have got caught up with the player’s legs and could have twisted his knee, so it was a relief to see him come out for the second half.

“It will be a big loss if Joe’s suspended. We will look at the video again and maybe try and find out from if we have a case for an appeal. I don’t want a frivolous appeal.

“Cole has an unblemished record. He’s had no red cards and very few yellow cards.

“He’s not the type of player who goes in for blood-curdling tackles.”

Wenger also backed Cole and agreed with Hodgson that the ex-Chelsea man is not a dirty player. “He’s not a guy who tries to hurt people,” said the Gunners boss.